A pole-dancing groom and a diamond-encrusted dress... First episode of Katie & Alex: For Better, For Worse reveals extent of pair's extravagant weddin

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By Sarah Bull

Blushing bride: Katie Price tries on the diamond-encrusted full skirted dress she eventually chooses to wear for her wedding blessing to Alex Reid


Katie Price has never been one to do anything by halves, and it seems her new husband Alex Reid is following in her footsteps.

The full extent of the couple's extravagant wedding blessing was revealed in the first episode of their new ITV2 reality show Katie & Alex: For Better, For Worse.

While Alex stripped off and started pole dancing on his stag do, Katie travelled to Paris in search of the perfect wedding dress, and ended up leaving with a diamond-encrusted gown


Sparkly: The sight of Katie in the corset-style dress reduced her mother Amy to tears in the Parisian store


The new series sees the couple preparing for their wedding blessing, following their quickie Las Vegas wedding in February, and things don't get off to a smooth start.

On the first day of wedding planning, Katie and Alex disagree about where they should have the ceremony, with Katie arguing that it would be more romantic in the local church and Alex insisting he is 'turned on' by the thought of having it in the garden of their Sussex home.

However, it's Katie who wins in the end, and it's decided the ceremony will be held at the church down


Busty: The corset-style top struggled to contain Katie's ample assets, but she was happy with the look


And one that didn't make it... Katie tries on a Swan Lake style dress, but mum Amy tells her, 'It doesn't do anything for your boobs'


And while it started off being a low-key affair, the blessing quickly turns into more than just a chance for friends and family to celebrate.

With help from three drag queens from hit West End show Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, a giant pink stiletto, human statues dressed as gargoyles and a cage, preparations for the wedding reception are made.

But despite the outrageous reception plans, one thing was certain to remain low-key - the food.


Stag on a mission: Alex Reid strips off to start pole dancing at his eventful, and alcohol-filled, stag do


Excited: Alex can't stop smiling as he shows off his incredible skills on the pole at the Guildford venue


While Katie opted for a fish and chip supper for their guests, Alex suggested possibly hiring a kebab van. However, yet again, Katie's choice was the final decision.

The couple's invitations were suitably glamorous, showing a finger against a red hot pair of lips - 'to show that it's a secret wedding', according to Katie.

But Alex was less than impressed with the invites, continuously laughing at them before finally giving in and addressing some of them to his friends.


Buff: Alex showed off his muscly figure as he stripped to his pants for the pole-dancing routine


Impressive: Alex pulled some amazing moves out of the hat as he was watched by an audience including his stags


Score cards: The naughty nurses hold up placards bearing scores following Alex's amazing routine


There has been constant speculation about the state of Katie and Alex's marriage, and while it was clear Katie is the dominant partner in the relationship, Alex said they have learned to make it work.

He explained: 'Katie's a hard arse - she can keep going and going when we are arguing. But I know deep down that we really love each other.

'Sometimes you just need to have a cuddle and talk heart to heart, soul to soul, and it all gets sorted out.'


And some for you too: Katie giggles as a male stripper gets up close and personal during her hen do


Ready to go! Katie watches with anticipation as the strippers, who entered wearing long clothes, slowly strip


After a party to decide which cocktails would be best for the blessing celebration, it was time for Katie and Alex to choose their outfits for the wedding.

Alex decided to go to renowned tailor Terence Trout for his morning suit. But, after being measured for the outfit, Alex left wearing an off the peg suit to fool the ever-present paparazzi outside the store.

However, London wasn't good enough for Katie's dress hunt, so she decided to take herself, and mother Amy, over to Paris in a bid to find the perfect gown.



Preparing: Alex and Katie have a rehearsal for their wedding blessing in St Paul's Church in Woldingham


Kneeling: The pair kneel in front of the vicar as he goes through how the big day will pan out


After trying on several dresses, including a Swan Lake type gown which did little to flatter her figure, Katie finally settled on a full skirted dress which came complete with a diamond-encrusted corset-style bodice.

And seeing her little girl in her wedding dress, Amy couldn't help shed a tear before she was comforted by her not-so-subtle daughter who told her: 'Why are you crying, Mum? It's only a dress - what are you going to be like on the day?'

Upon her return to London, Katie was whisked away to an exclusive hen do at the Mayfair Hotel, organised by close friends Phil Turner, Gary Cockerill and Katie's close friend and bridesmaid Melody.


Invitations: Alex is unimpressed by the invitations, which had a picture of a finger and a pair of lips on the front


Addressing: Alex is mocked by Katie when he spells friend Donna's name as Donner on the invitation


The party was full of flowing champagne, and Katie was even treated to three male strippers, who came into the room wearing full-length black coats, and left wearing nothing.

But instead of letting herself go completely, mother-of-three Katie decided to take things slowly at the event, and stuck to orange juice instead of swigging champagne.

Explaning her decision, Katie said: 'I don't want to drink because I'm getting older and it takes me two days now to get over a hangover.'


Glamour puss: Katie's hair is seen teased into a huge beehive, accessorised with a veil and a tiara


Excited: A jubilant Alex Reid rushes into the church ahead of the ceremony


However, things weren't quite so sensible over at Alex's stag do.

Organised by his brother Rupert, Alex and his stags were treated to an afternoon of clay pigeon shooting before moving on to the Players Lounge casino and strip bar in Guildford.

As well as being served drinks by 'nurses' dressed in very provocative skimpy outfits, the stags were treated to the sight of their waitresses attempting to stay on a bucking bronco, before being given a full-on performance by several pole dancers.


Thrilled: Katie smiles broadly as she prepares to go to the church for the blessing


Transport: Katie's friends and family arrived at the church in this bus


But the party really started with stag Alex decided to try his luck on the pole.

Stripped to his pants, Alex nimbly made his way up to the top of the pole before showing off his best moves to an audience including his nurse friends - who gave him top marks for his show.

Katie also revealed during tonight's episode that she had her wedding ring from her first marriage to Peter Andre made into a diamond bangle enscribed with children Harvey, Junior and Princess's names.

She said: 'When I'm older, Princess will end up getting the bracelet made of the diamonds I married her dad in.

'I suppose when I look at it I think, "Oh, that's the wedding ring", but it's not the wedding ring now, it's the bangle.'


Recycling: Katie revealed on the show that she had her wedding ring from her marriage to Peter Andre made into a diamond bangle


Inheritance: Katie said she will give the bracelet, enscribed with her children's names, to Princess when she is older


The pair's decision to air their wedding blessing and honeymoon as part of a three-part special on ITV2 was criticised by many, but Katie and Alex defended their decision.

Katie said: 'It's going to be great sharing this fantastic day with my friends and family.

'I can't wait to celebrate our love for each other again.'

While Alex added: 'Katie and I are really looking forward to spending our special day with our family and close friends.

'Seeing her walk down the aisle again and being able to share it with the people we love will make this truly memorable.'


Friends and family: Katie and Alex's special day was attended by hundreds of their closest friends and family


The next episode of Katie & Alex: For Better, For Worse will be aired on ITV2 next Wednesday, and will show the couple's actual blessing day.

But things don't appear to go quite to plan, as Alex is seen saying Katie is an hour and ten minutes late arriving at the church in the teaser for next week's show.


source: dailymail
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